Last Splash

We are sadly packing in our last few days at the pool. We are excited to be gearing up for Lucy's birthday and party, school, and a change in weather (Lucy is VERY excited about the prospect of wearing pants everyday. Not sure why, but it is a reoccurring theme around here and is directly related to her wanting to wear shirts.)

The end of the pool season is making us realize how much Lucy has grown this summer. She started out shorter, less sure, and a lot less blonde! Now she has super-long legs, white hair, muscles all over and can do things she never even attempted this spring. She is climbing on anything, loves hanging from tree branches, is getting the hang of peddling her bike, and can jump on only one foot (a trick she has been practicing a lot).

In the pool she is going under water and holding her breath for up to 5 or 6 seconds sometimes, paddling with her arms, kicking with her legs, jumping from the side and going under. She can kick across the pool holding on to just a kickboard and loves to "swim laps" or "practice for the Olympics".

When she is sitting still, which doesn't happen very often, she can name several words that begin with each letter of the alphabet, she is beginning to write more and more letters (X and H are her favorites to write), she can trace lines and color within the lines. She can count to 25. She is very proud of the fact that she can make the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by holding up the correct fingers (3 is her favorite, wonder why!)

On a social level she is he best big sister ever. She is so concerned with Harper and loves to make her happy by bringing her toys, getting her to smile, singing her songs and greeting her when she wakes up from naps and in the morning. She is connecting to her friends more and will actually play with them, not just next to them (of course, they still have no idea what she is talking about since she casually talks about Gaga, playing instruments, uses strange adjectives to describe things and sings made-up songs. If you want to know what I mean about "strange" adjectives then know that Lucy will throw in a random "crispy", "sick" or even just a made up word to describe what she is talking about.)

It has been a great summer full of family visits, friends (and all their birthday parties!), pool time, new baby fun, and lots of learning. Lucy and I have a debate nearly every day about whether I should "let her" get bigger. I say no. She is adamament about turning 3 and being a big girl. I think we will compromise and take all the great things that getting "bigger" entails- less whining, more independence and new experiences- and hang on to what makes Lucy such a fun "little" girl- silly stories, the need to have boo boos kissed, the ability to eat spoonfuls of sour cream or butter (and lovin' it), songs for everything and imaginary friends.

This can all be summed up when Ian and I see the sight of Lucy standing next to someone really tall and always realizing that she is so little to the world but so big to us.